I have noticed in recent months the increased use of CDI’s (Certified Deaf Interpreters) out in the field. Perhaps, and quite unfortunately, due to the recent increase in tragic events and natural disasters around our nation, CDI’s have become more visible within the profession. These dire types of situations have an impact on us as […]

I have found throughout my career that many people I meet – most people, actually – are fascinated with sign language. I understand completely – I fell in love with American Sign Language – the language, the grammar, the culture, the Deaf Community, years ago. This fascination, however, often leads to somewhat inappropriate behavior and […]

I went to lunch with my best friend last week, who happens to be Deaf. She started telling me about a recent experience she had at a conference she had attended through work. Being the only Deaf person in attendance, she was seated in typical fashion in the front row toward the side, her team […]

As set by the U.S. Census, hospitals receiving federal funding should provide assistance to deaf patients and ensure effective communication. However, when it comes to practice, many hospitals are unable to provide adequate assistance to the patients. In the U.S., many hospitals will only start to look for ASL interpreters after patients have already […]

Section 504, of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, is a federal law that protects the rights of people with disabilities in activities and programs that receive Federal financial assistance from the Department of Education. It states: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of […]